Dukes Fall to NC State in Season Opener

Wednesday, August 12

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

0-1-0, 0-0-0

NC State

1-0-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
NC State	1	2	3
James Madison	1	0	1

JMU Womens soccer huddles during its match with NC State

8/12/2026 10:23:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Consistent offensive pressure from NC State dropped James Madison women's soccer by a score of 3-1 at Sentara Park on Wednesday night.

The Dukes (0-1-0) were outpaced in shots (18-to-4) and corners (5-to-0) as the Wolfpack (1-0-0) grabbed their first win of the new season. Ginny Lackey was the lone goal scorer for JMU, with Audrey Orrock also contributing a shot. Sofia DeCerb got the start in between the posts, playing all 90 minutes and making six saves.

Jade Bordeleau led the Wolfpack with two scores. Amor Leigh Martin Esteban got the start in goal before being replaced in the 56th minute of play.

Quote from Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr.

I thought this game was the opposite of the VT scrimmage, where in this one the first 10 minutes we did some good but then made a few mistakes and got in our head for large parts of the rest of the game. Great job by NC State and their staff; they took it to us and showed a great competitive mentality. This game will serve us well if we are willing to be honest with it in preparation for the next game.

How it Happened

NC State had its first opportunity in the third minute, a shot attempt that sailed off target.
The Wolfpack finally capitalized in the 10th minute, before JMU responded with a goal of its own 20 seconds later to tie the game back up again at one apiece.
NC State managed five more shots in the half, with only one being placed on goal.
The Wolfpack broke the tie and took a 2-1 lead in the 60th minute after a ricocheted shot found its way into the net.
The match remained in the middle third until the 78th minute, when NC State put the game out of reach for the Dukes with Bordeleau's second score of the night.

Game Notes

Lackey has scored JMU's first goal of the year in back-to-back seasons.
DeCerb's six saves match her 2025 season high.

Up Next

The Dukes return to action on Sunday, Aug 16th, when they will take on George Mason at Sentara Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.